First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh wants to try again; Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains affiliated with the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to a friendly agreement stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitive athlete who thrives on top-level competition, which he rarely experienced with LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns toward the end of his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He also remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch appointed as captain.
Speculation arises on which tours Koepka will join next. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour—likely with a penalty—or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, since previous lifetime bans have been eased by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. There is a sense that welcoming LIV returnees benefits the PGA Tour, as information from ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reveals Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing post-2022.